PANDA. is an acronym for Prevent Abuse and Neglect through Dental Awareness. Delta Dental of New Mexico sponsors this educational coalition aimed at increasing awareness and helping dental office personnel recognize and report suspected cases of abuse and neglect.

Despite the fact that 65% of abuse injuries involve the head, face, neck, and mouth areas, only a small percentage of abuse reports are made by dental offices. PANDA was formed out of a belief that increased training of dental professionals about how to recognize and report abuse and neglect could reduce the number of unreported incidences.

PANDA coalition member organizations provide specially trained volunteers from the dental community to provide the educational program. The information is provided free of charge to dental offices and other interested groups with ten or more members.

In addition to Delta Dental of New Mexico, PANDA coalition members include the New Mexico Dental Hygienists' Association, New Mexico Dental Association, Sigma Phi Alpha, New Mexico Department of Health-Dental Program, University of New Mexico Division of Dental Hygiene, New Mexico Hispanic Dental Association, New Mexico Academy of General Dentistry, and the New Mexico Department of Children, Youth, and Families-Protective Services Division.

For more information, or to schedule a presentation in New Mexico, please call Delta Dental of New Mexico at 505.872.5330.